Abstract: Siding panels and intermediate articles of their manufacture are provided. The siding panels include a central portion including an aesthetic pattern and a pair of lateral edge portions which are molded while the polymeric material is still hot or molten. One exemplary aesthetic pattern provided is a cedar shake siding pattern. Adjacent cedar shake shingle impressions have substantially the same lengths, but a plurality of bottom edges of the individual shingle impressions are beveled to give the appearance of shingles having different lengths.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaped polymeric article is provided. A sheet of extruded hot polymeric material is provided and disposed onto a rotating belt. The rotating belt includes a mold impression therein and a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mold impression resembles a plurality of adjacent shingle impressions of substantially the same length. Each of the shingle impressions includes a bottom edge where at least one of the bottom edges is beveled to give the appearance of shingles having different lengths. Vacuum pressure is applied to the hot polymeric material through the belt, so as to draw the sheet into intimate forming contact with the mold impression to form a patterned central portion. The patterned central portion is cooled below the heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material. A length of the sheet is severed to produce a shaped polymeric article.

Abstract: A speech recognition equipped geographic information recording apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a mobile data terminal has a communication node therein. A geographic mapping system is integral with the mobile data terminal, and is coupled to the communication node. A speech recognition system adapted to receive verbal information is also coupled to the mobile data terminal. The speech recognition system is adapted to receive attribute data verbalized by an operator of the mobile data terminal. Additionally, the speech recognition system is adapted to receive operating commands verbalized by an operator of the mobile data terminal. The communication node of the mobile data terminal includes a transmitter for sending information from the mobile data terminal to a desired location, and a receiver for receiving information from a desired location. In the present embodiment, a real-time communication link exists between the mobile data terminal and the desired location.

Abstract: A lollipop for breath freshening and of the type having an applicator head (12) affixed to a handle (14). The applicator head (12) is made of an edible substance (21) intermixed with an antibacterial means (19) and molded with a textured surface (24) for separating the folds of the tongue and accessing the grooves of the tongue for the purpose of eliminating the precursors of Volatile Sulfur Compounds.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when portable devices require service. In one embodiment, the system is co-located with the portable device and includes a sensor, positioning system receiver and communication transmitter. The sensor senses when the portable device requires service. The positioning system receiver receives positioning signals, such as positioning signals issued by the Global Positioning System, (GPS), and uses the positioning system signals to determine the location of the portable device. The communications transmitter transmits a service signal to a service base station to indicate that the portable device requires service. The service signal includes the determined location of the portable device, thereby eliminating the need for service personnel to physically inspect every portable device in order to determine if any portable devices require service.

Abstract: A control system for a combined GPS receiver and pseudolite receiver that allows adjustment of a number of data collection (i.e., configuration) parameters for the receiver. Preferably, a single interface allows for setting multiple parameters at the same time. Setting the configuration parameters may be in response to a user input specifying a desired quality of position estimate to be provided by the receiver and may be accomplished using a slide bar control. The slide bar control may be a graphical representation displayed to the user and may allow the user to choose from a number of predetermined settings, each corresponding to a set of different configuration parameters for the receiver.

Abstract: A control system for a GPS receiver allows adjustment of a number of data collection (i.e., configuration) parameters for the receiver. Preferably, a single interface allows for setting multiple parameters at the same time. Setting the configuration parameters may be in response to a user input specifying a desired quality of position estimate to be provided by the receiver and may be accomplished using a slide bar control. The slide bar control may be a graphical representation displayed to the user and may allow the user to choose from a number of predetermined settings, each corresponding to a set of different configuration parameters for the receiver. Distribution of the settings over the range of a slide bar control need not be linear. Preferably, each set of the configuration parameters includes a setting for a PDOP mask, a signal to noise ratio mask, an elevation mask and a minimum number of satellites to be used by the receiver in making a position computation.

Abstract: Siding panels and intermediate articles of their manufacture are provided. The siding panels include a central portion including an aesthetic pattern and a pair of lateral edge portions which are molded while the polymeric material is still hot or molten. One exemplary aesthetic pattern provided is a cedar shake siding pattern. Adjacent cedar shake shingle impressions have substantially the same lengths, but a plurality of bottom edges of the individual shingle impressions are beveled to give the appearance of shingles having different lengths.